Under the reign of His Majesty the King, may God protect and preserve him, the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) was established as a new insurance entity under Law No. (3) of 2008, issued on February 17, 2008. It came as a result of successive developments, replacing both the Public Pension Fund Authority and the General Organization for Social Insurance. The SIO was granted legal personality and enjoys full financial and administrative independence, while being subject to the supervision of the Minister of Finance. Bahrain’s experience in merging the two institutions was considered pioneering across the region.

The Social Insurance Organization is the official entity responsible for providing insurance services to individuals covered under the Civil Retirement Law and the Social Insurance Law in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The primary aim is to provide comprehensive insurance protection against the risks of old age, disability, death, occupational injury, and unemployment across both the public and private sectors.

This protection is not limited to the geographical boundaries of the Kingdom. In fact, it was extended through Law No. (68) of 2006, which approved the Unified System for Extending Insurance Coverage to Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States Working Outside Their Home Countries. This system ensures that GCC nationals working in other member states receive social insurance coverage from their home country’s relevant agency.

Moreover, Bahrainis working abroad—and those in similar situations who are not subject to any mandatory or optional retirement systems regulated by law in Bahrain—may voluntarily subscribe to the insurance system under Law No. (31) of 2005.

In accordance with Law No. (78) of 2006 regarding Unemployment Insurance, the SIO also manages the Unemployment Insurance Account, which includes the collection of contributions and the disbursement of benefits or allowances (for first-time job seekers).

Additionally, the SIO is responsible for disbursing end-of-service gratuities for non-Bahraini workers in the private sector who are covered under the Occupational Injury Insurance Branch, in accordance with Prime Ministerial Resolution No. (109) of 2023—a reaffirmation of the SIO’s responsibility to ensure social stability and peace of mind.